"Dave Duncan - A Handful Of Men 2 - Upland Outlaws" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

"Please. "


"Very well. The imperor's failing health had persuaded Shandie that a regency would be necessary. We were rehearsing the enthronement
ceremony. Shandie-his Majesty now, of coursewas sitting on the Opal Throne and becoming very impatient at the time it was all taking. The
princess ... impress ... was on the chair of state at his side. The Rotunda was almost dark, because of the snow collecting on the dome."


"It was also exceedingly chilly," Eigaze remarked between chocolates.


"Yes, it was. Then word arrived of the imperor's death."


"Who brought that word?" Rap inquired.


"A soldier."


"Centurion Hardgraa," Eigaze added. "Shandie's chief of security. "


"A trusted man, then," Rap said. He decided the point was irrelevant. Sorcerers need not rely on spies to learn secrets. The Four had probably
known that Emshandar's heart had stopped beating before even the doctors at the old man's bedside.


"Trusted, certainly," Ionfeu agreed. "He spoke to young Ylo. A bit of a rascal, that one, but Shandie's personal signifer, so of course he must be
completely trustworthy, also. I can't see why that ... Well, never mind. Ylo went up to the throne and told the new imperor. Of course everyone in
the whole place had guessed what the news must be. "


"You can always tell, can't you?" Eigaze murmured vaguely. "I suppose there was about a minute," Ionfeu said. "The impress embraced her
husband ... He said something to the lord herald ... Then the warlock appeared. A minute at the most."


"The Opal Throne was facing which way?"


"North. It was a north day. The four thrones of the wardens are arranged around the perimeter ... but of course you are familiar with the Rotunda."


Rap shivered. "Very! I almost died there once."


So Raspnex had been temporarily senior warden of the Four. It had been his right to invoke the council. Was that significant, or would he have
intruded anyway? What in the name of Evil were the Four up to? What was really happening in the occult politics of the Impire? Rap ground his
teeth in frustration. Midnight had passed, so technically the senior warden was now East-Warlock Olybino, pompous idiot. Did that matter?